Method and Apparatus for Extensible Heel

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a ladies shoe to be constructed of a heel comprising multiple heel columns each attached as desired by the user to attain the preferred heel length.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for a ladies shoe to be constructed of a heel comprising multiple heel columns each attached as desired by the user to attain the preferred heel length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is object of the present invention to provide for a method and apparatus for a ladies shoe to be constructed of a heel comprising several heel columns each having a bolt cavity and bolt attached, allowing the user to attach each column to reach a desired heel length.

The present invention can allow a user to adjust the length of the heel simply by attaching additional heel columns, or removing them thereof from the heel assembly.

The present invention provides the flexibility for the user to use the show either as a high heel shoe or adjust its heel length to a lower height when comfort is important.

To reduce the weight of the entire heel assembly, the bolt and related bolt cavity may be constructed of lightweight aluminium alloy, or have another preferred heel attachment/detachment mechanism.

The present invention additionally comprise of a compact heel bag that stores the unused heel columns, together with the related bolts in the said bag, allowing the user of the present invention to carry the compact bag along with the shoe.

The user of the present invention therefore can adjust the heel height at any time to suit the varying requirement, eg. “comfort” versus “elegance”.

In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ladies heel comprise of a number of identical heel columns that can be attached to one another to form a desired heel length allowing the user of the present invention the flexibility of changing the shoe heel length to either longer (greater discomfort upon sustained walking and standing), or shorter (suitable for longer standing periods and walking cycles). The individual heel column is designed with an attachment/detachment device, which in the first embodiment of the present invention, comprise of a bolt screw and a screw thread cavity.

For each column, the top surface area will have a protruding bolt screw, and its bottom surface area to have a screw thread cavity.

The first heel column will be attached into the heel base of the shoe that has a matching screw thread cavity in the shoe's heel base.

This will form the low heel length configuration of the present invention.

A second heel column, also comprising of a top screw and bottom thread cavity will be attached using its top screw to the base of the first said heel column.

Additional heel columns can be secured into the heel assembly using the manner described above to gain the desired heel length.

Conversely, each column can be removed using the same method to reduce the length of the said heel to adjust the heel to a user-desired height.

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shoe comprise of a shoe heel base, a plurality of heel columns and a heel base cap.

Each heel column will be constructed with a sliding lock and secure mechanism on both its top and bottom horizontal surface area.

The shoe heel base will comprise of a single sliding lock and secure mechanism where the first heel column will slide into the heel base lock and secure mechanism.

A second additional heel column comprising identical slide and lock devices will slide into the bottom base of the first heel column.

Additional columns are attached to gain the desired heel length.

The attached columns can be removed to reduce the length to form a low heel ladies shoe.

Once the desired number of heel columns are attached and secured to the shoe, a base cap slides into the last column bottom to conceal and cover the remaining, unused slide and lock mechanism.

In the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shoe comprises of a heel base, a plurality of identical heel columns, and a heel base cap.

Each heel column comprises of a top protrusion, and its bottom horizontal base surface to have a cavity.

The heel base will have a cavity allowing the first heel column to be secured into the cavity by means of the column's protrusion that is dimensionally matched to the said cavity.

A number of similar heel columns are attached to the show heel base and assembly using the manner described above to gain the desired heel length and the shoe's heel height.

Similarly, columns attached to the shoe can be removed in order to reduce the shoe heel height to increase user comfort.

Once the user-determined number of heel columns attains the desired length, a heel cap is attached to the base of the last heel column attached to conceal and cover the cavity of the last heel column.

This prevents dirt and debris to accumulate into the cavity while walking on the heels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention with the heel columns and the primary heel base attached to the shoe.

FIG. 2 illustrates the manner by which the heel columns can be attached the heel base to lengthen the length of the heel, converting the shoe from a low heel shoe to a high heel shoe.

FIG. 3 illustrates the compact bag design adapted to store and carry the heel columns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shoe with a heel base, a plurality of shoe heel columns, a heel base cap, and a heel storage bag.

In particular, this has useful application in the area of ladies shoes.

Each said heel column to comprise of a protruding screw on its top horizontal heel surface, and a matching screw thread cavity on its bottom horizontal surface.

A first heel column will be attached to the heel base of the shoe by attaching the screw protrusion into the matching screw thread cavity in the heel base.

A second heel column is further attached to the base of the first shoe heel column by attaching the protruding screw on the top surface area of the second heel column to the screw thread cavity of the bottom surface of the first heel column.

Additional heel columns are fastened in a similar manner as described above to gain the desired heel length and the shoe's corresponding heel height.

Modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled in the art. It is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove. 

1. A ladies shoe with an extensible heel, comprising a heel base, and a plurality of heel columns, each said column is attached to one another vertically to form a length of a desired heel length.
 2. A method for preparing an extensible shoe heel, comprising attaching a heel base to a shoe, attaching a first heel column to the shoe heel base, attaching a second heel column to the base of the first heel column, and forming the desired shoe heel length.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, each heel column has a bolt cavity on either the column horizontal top or bottom surface.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, each heel column has a bolt or screw thread on either the column horizontal top or bottom surface.
 5. A ladies shoe having a heel, comprising at least one heel column having an attachment/detachment device, wherein said shoe's heel is extensible by means of attaching a second additional heel column to an existing heel base, or an already-attached first heel column to increase the heel length.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A method for preparing a ladies shoe with an extensible heel, comprising securing a plurality of heel columns into each other to form a desired heel length.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, each column comprising a locking device and cavity.
 9. The method as claimed in claims 7, each column comprising a bolt and a bolt thread, the bolt is on one end of the column's top or bottom horizontal surface. 